Sabri
Following up the recent CSCN single “Oh Honey”, NYC artist Sabri (oka Sam Sundos) presents the world premiere for the George Manatos & Chris Mosson video for the jacuzzi jet-set jam “Hot Tub” (with gaffing supplied by Graeme Dempsey, asst. camera work by Tom Atwell & associate producer Conall Jones). The song further illustrates the endless array of stylistic sensibilities presented by Sundos that trades in schools of endless underground dance dynamics (think Chicago to Manchester warehouse fare & even far beyond) relying here on rich Rhodes tones that reverberates between the chill beats & Sam’s lyrical delivery. Visually showcasing a bevy of improvised & inspired dance moves; Sabri’s Sam Sundos celebrates an ever evolving aesthetic of kinetic & sophisticated dance pop designed by visions of the heart & a wealth of impressive taste in body moving music (both contemporary & ultra classic).
Filmed in front of a deep hue of blue backdrop, Sabri gets the “Hot Tube”-party moving in full effect. Sam gets into the motions of the track as the screen displays everything from silhouettes to stratospheric sights that swim high above the space between the top of the clouds & the auburn allure of the sun. Sam soaks in the sentiments of an early summer season that makes a start for warmer weather & new beginnings, as exhibited in the chorus reiterations of I’m already gone. A song for the poolside leisure to idle indulgences; Sam showcases everything from cool move sets to kicking back & checking the latest updates on a mobile device as the song concludes in a finale send-up of dub-style resounding echo effects. Together through well arranged audio & visual fashions, Sabri steps to beats that nod to the big band era of orchestrations with a presentation rooted strongly in the visionary vernacular of the present. The r&b lounge groove method is applied with a visceral sense of vintage jubilations, mixed with modern day leisure that is combined with an illuminiscent azure & ambrosia hued aura.
HOT TUB- Sabri from George M. on Vimeo.
Sam Sundos generously shared some exclusive thoughts about the processes of making the not-so-still-life arrangements that comprise the Sabri sound:
Trying to thoughtfully answer your questions of what, why, when and where, in my local coffee shop here in Brooklyn. I realize that making music is no different than anyone making anything in this world. We’re all just searching for purpose and hope we are given a lane to drive it down for as far as we are allowed.
Had I released this song 10 years ago, I can only imagine the self-entitled, self-indulgent explanation of what this song would mean to me and what I think it should mean to the rest of the world, but today is my 35th birthday. I couldn’t be more aware or disgusted with the world around me but also I couldn’t be more in love with and proud of the community I’ve surrounded myself with. I’m happily engaged to the best partner I could ask for, helping to raise the best 8 year old to bless this earth, and surrounded by some of the most talented friends any artist could dream of.
Sam shared the following in response to our inquiries regarding earliest inspirations & discovering the praxis to musical & creative engagement with the artist’s compositions:
So I find it hard to sit here and explain to you what my influences are or what I intended to do when I sat down to write this or any of my songs. I wish I was that direct in my art or life but I’m not. I’m always just searching for those special moments, like little seeds, and all I can hope for is that I nurture them enough to grow. I’m not going to sit here and say I don’t wish a million people hear this song today and everyday after and love it, I do. But what would mean more to me is having a kid who looks like me and is being raised the way I was raised to see me, to hear me, and to feel comfort for the three minutes it takes him to get through the song.
Discussing the classic warehouse dance track appreciations & emulations of Rhodes piano inflected smooth rhythmic grooves; Sam explained shared some thoughts on the inception for “Hot Tub” & more:
I really believe that’s what we are all trying for in this world, anyone good anyway. We are just looking to be understood and as humans we are able to express that. So that’s all this song or anything I have done or will ever do is. I couldn’t tell you where the idea to make “Hot Tub” came from—except out of boredom, hanging out with a couple of friends and having something to say.
That’s it—I had something to say that day and I was lucky enough to give myself the space to capture it.
That being said this song wouldn’t be possible without friend, co-writer & producer Andrew Miller and the video would never have happened with out director George Manatos.
Sabri’s CSCN single “Oh Honey” is available listen, listen to more via Spotify.
